THEATRE, DEMOCRACY AND THE END OF DISTRACTION: WORKING IN MARGINS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

In my interview with 67-year-old Aboriginal actor Jack Charles this week (watch this blog), he described himself in his twenties as such, “I was political and thought of myself a useful person but I wasn’t as outspoken as I can be today. I was very shy and held back quite a bit. But theatre was the driving force behind putting me in front of people. I realised my potential here.” And today, he tells his story of drug abuse, the arts and the memories of being a part of the stolen generation on stage at the Belvoir Street Theatre. Join Associate Professor Peter O’Connor as he discusses theatre as a vital forum for communities to express issues that are otherwise overseen, ignored or even suppressed. Entertainment aside, there is no denying that theatre is a byproduct of our social, political and psychological world.